ROBERTO MARTINEZ must be at the heart of the Swansea City side next season, insists former Vetch Field favourite John Cornforth.

Ex-Swans captain Cornforth believes it is vital his old club hangs onto Martinez following the instrumental role the Spaniard played in their escape from relegation from the Football League.

The 29-year-old midfielder has flown home to Spain to consider the contract he has been offered to stay at the Vetch and talks with the Swans' director of football Brian Flynn are expected to resume some time later this week.

"Because finances are so tight in Division Three Brian will not be able to break the bank for any player, but he should work his socks off to try to keep Martinez," said Cornforth.

"Swansea need to hang onto him because he's such an influential player - I saw him in action a few times last season and he impressed me on every occasion."

Cornforth continued, "Brian should aim to build the side around him next season, to make him the centre-piece.

"Every side needs a midfield-general and Roberto plays that role to perfection.

"One of the reasons he was so instrumental in Swansea avoiding relegation was his calming influence on those around him - especially to the younger players.

"And the Swansea supporters won't need me to tell them how well he can pass the ball.

"It's wonderful to see players passing the ball across the ground and that's what makes Martinez such an asset.

"For Swansea to go forward and do better - a lot better - than they did last season, it's very important a player as influential as Martinez stays on."

But Cornforth, who helped the Swans to Wembley glory and the Second Division play-offs during his spell at the club from 1991-96, believes the credit for Swansea surviving must be shared among all the players.

"Martinez played a big part, but it would be wrong to suggest Swansea would be in the Conference were it not for him," said the former Wales international.

"In my view it was a huge team effort, not just one player.

"You could single out several people - Kevin Nugent for the goals he scored, Leon Britton's ability in midfield, James Thomas for his last-day hat-trick...

"The reason Swansea survived was down to everyone pulling together and working for each other when it really mattered."

Cornforth had mixed emotions on the final day of the season as, while Swansea survived, Exeter City - the club he managed for 13 months until his dismissal last October - were condemned to the Conference.

And the former Vetch Field midfielder believes that the blame lays firmly with the St James' Park board, including former Swansea chairman Mike Lewis.

"I feel sorry for the Exeter fans - they don't deserve to be in the Conference," said Cornforth.

"It's about time the people upstairs looked at themselves. It's no coincidence that clubs who had three managers last season - Exeter, Sunderland and Northampton - were all relegated."

Cornforth has a benefit match - organised before he was sacked and taking place because injury forced him to quit playing aged 33 - at St James' Park tomorrow night.

An all-stars XI including Wales manager Mark Hughes, former Wales goalkeeper Neville Southall and current international Andy Melville will play an Exeter XI.